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“It’s all about accessing a normal life that we take for granted”

County of Brant Mayor Ron Eddy, left, Paris Museum and Historical Society president Mary Gladwin, Brant MP Phil McColeman and Paris Lions Club president Floyd McCaw celebrate the announcement of more than $50,000 in federal funding to make more accessible the museum's entrance, the county's website and a ramp to Lions Park. MICHAEL PEELING/The Paris Star/QMI Agency

Paris was the site of three federal funding announcements to improve accessibility for the physically challenged in Brant County on Friday, one of which will literally open the door for them.

Brant MP Phil McColeman drove to his riding from Ottawa to announce the news at Syl Apps Community Centre in, outside the Paris Museum and Historical Society facility.

The side entrance to the centre – also the museum’s entrance – has been given $6,579 in funding for their project to install automated door openers through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF).

Paris Museum and Historical Society president Mary Gladwin said that they talked to many groups who use the entrance and all of them had the same problem with the rusty old doors.

“Everyone will be so grateful for this,” Gladwin said. “I always find I’m opening those doors for people, but soon the doors will open for them.”

Two other funding amounts will enable easier access to the County of Brant’s website and the Mechanic Street pedestrian entrance to Lions Park.

The Paris Lions Club isn’t the direct recipient of the funds, but McColeman gave the service club a lot of credit for the numerous upgrades and improvements to the park over more than 80 years.

Paris Lions president Floyd McCaw said it has been a park since 1931.

“This really is the Lions’ funding for this iconic park,” McColeman said to several members of the club in attendance. “Your commitment to that park is amazing.”

Brant received $12,761 for the construction of a new pedestrian ramp at Lions Park, which will include armour stone to support the re-aligned pathway between the Nith River and Mechanic Street, as well as handrails and a maintenance gate.

The County of Brant is also receiving $31,855 in funding through the EAF to make changes to its website (www.brant.ca) that will make information about the many of programs and services offered by the county fully accessible to all residents.

McColeman, who made the announcement on behalf of Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley, said he has a very personal connection to the subject of accessibility.

“My personal connection is my son,” said McColeman of Jordan, a developmentally challenged young man who often attends public events with his father. “I just want to thank you all for your commitment to people with disabilities.”

McColeman explained that there are an estimated 800,000 Canadians with disabilities. About half of them have university degrees, but many of them can’t find meaningful employment because of the barriers society has set up.

“We need, as a society, to recognize that these people need to be integrated in the fullest way,” he said.

McColeman has been backing up his words with a Private Member’s motion in Parliament to help the disabled find work.

“It’s all about accessing a normal life that we take for granted,” he said. “This issue is very close to my heart. It hits at my heart.”

County of Brant Mayor Ron Eddy congratulated the county staff and committee members, the Lions Club and the Paris Museum and Historical Society for their successful applications.

He was happy to see the county making progress in its efforts to improve accessibility.

“We’ve all had the chance to help someone overcome a challenge because there are so many in our communities,” Eddy said.

The Enabling Accessibility Fund was originally a three-year, $45 million program introduced in 2007 and was renewed again in 2010 for a similar term, but McColeman said it will be funded on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year.

The Harper government has also proposed to strengthen federal programming for people with disabilities to help them get the job skills and training they need through another $40 million per year in ongoing funding from the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, starting in 2015–16.

Since the first call for proposals in 2008, more than 1,000 projects have been awarded funding trough the EAF to improve accessibility in Canadian communities.